BAE Systems Harrier AV-8B (US Marines VMA-214 Black Sheep) (1:72 scale)
- The Harrier is the first operational V/STOL (Vertical/ Short Takeoff & Landing) aircraft. By directing the engines exhaust through movable nozzles the force could be used to propel the aircraft along a runway or lift it vertically & then into a forward motion. Because of this ability to lift off vertically the Harriers began to be referred to as “jump jets”. These aircraft were continuously being refined & enhanced over the years with many new variants being produced.
VMA-214 was originally commissioned in early 1942 as VMF-214 the “ Swashbucklers”. In August 1943 the squadron was renamed the “ Black Sheep’ when it came under the command of the infamous Colonel Gregory “ Pappy” Boyington. On July 9 1957 VMF-214 became VMA-214. In September 1987 the squadron moved to MCAS Yuma Arizona & is attached to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). In June 1989 VMA-214 retired their A-4M aircraft for the new AV-8B Harriers & in June 1993 the first AV-8B Harrier II arrived.